Quick Fried Beef Empanadas (Pastel de Carne Rápido)

Thinking of something quick to make for your next get-together or party? These fried beef empanadas (pastel de carne) will both save you time and make your guests quite happy.

The secret for preparing them quickly is to use wonton wraps instead of making the dough from scratch. 😉  Basically, the only difference between these and the traditional fried beef empanadas is the use of the prepared wonton wraps.

In my home country of Brazil, traditional fried beef empanadas can have either a half-moon shape (often used for the smaller sized empanadas) or an envelope shape (typical for the jumbo size).  They are one of the most popular pastries to serve as party appetizers, as well as for quick snacks.  Beef empanadas are available from street vendors (where they are frequently served with chilled cane sugar), at cafés, bakeries, and specialty shops known as pastelarias (empanada shops).

Although the origin of empanadas (pastéis) is controversial, there is strong evidence that points to Asia, meaning that empanadas likely developed from Chinese eggrolls and Japanese gyozas. Both were adapted to whatever ingredients were available in Brazil during World War II, and then sold by Japanese immigrants and their descendants, beginning in the state of São Paulo.  They were such a hit that they quickly started being marketed both at empanadas shops (pastelarias) and at street markets all over the country.

Of note, among all the various types of fillings for the empanadas, ground beef is the most popular.  If you would like to find out why, make a batch and give them a try!

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Quick Fried Beef Empanadas (Pastel de Carne)

These small fried beef empanadas are quick and delicious! They can be served as an appetizer or an afternoon snack.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 25

Author Denise Browning

Ingredients

• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1/4 medium yellow onion small diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef thawed, 454 g
• Salt to taste about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or fresh juice of 1/2 lime
• 2 tablespoons chopped green olives optional
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro or parsley
• 1 pacakage wonton wraps 12-ounce or 340 g
• 1 large egg white
• Enough vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

1. In a medium non-stick skillet, heat the oil and sweat the onion over medium heat for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and let cook for about 1 minute, stirring occasionaly (NOTE: The purpose is to cook the onion and garlic, NOT to brown them). Increase heat to medium-high and brown the ground beef, stirring every now and then. Stir in both the salt and pepper, and then the tomato paste. Stir in the vinegar or lime juice. Let ground beef cook, uncovered, for about 5-7 minutes or until cooked throughout, stirring occasionally. Stir in the olives (optional) and the chopped cilantro or parsley. Let cool a bit before filling the wonton wraps.
2. Place the wonton wraps on preparation surface. Fill each with 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon of the cooked ground beef mixture and brush the egg white around the edges.
3. 
4. Overlay another wonton wrap on top on the filling and seal edges well, pressing firmly with your fingers. Using a fork, make a pattern over the edges.
5. 
6. Heat a frying machine or a heavy-bottom pot to 350 degrees F (about 180 degrees C). If you don't have a thermometer to measure the temperature, dip a small piece of a wonton wrap into the heated oil. If you hear a sizzling sound, the oil is ready. Fry the filled beef empanadas, a few at a time, turning them while frying so that they brown evenly on both sides. The first and second batches will take about 3-4 minutes while the next batches will only take 1-1/2 to 2 minutes to fry because the oil will be hotter. They should be lightly golden and crisp. They will darken further once they are draining on paper towels.
7. Transfer empanadas to a baking sheet lined with a double layer of paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Serve empanadas hot by themselves, with ketchup or rosé sauce, or accompanied by guaraná soda, cane juice, or beer.

Recipe Notes

Store fried beef empanadas (leftovers) in a clean airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Heat in the oven before serving.